Dinner for two? (for pushmefirst)

[drcarbonell]

She'd never gotten ready so fast before. The duck into her apartment to drop off work related books and paperwork was quick. The loss of the lab coat and a sleek but simple black dress was pulled on if only to get the smell of the lab off of her

Comments

this.. journal colour is great for the restaurant decor, too! >D

[pushmefirst]

Nick walked up to Maria, half-smiling at her puntuality. Right to the second, huh? His blue eyes were amused as they met hers and he inclined his head, "Doc. Thanks for joining me."

Who knew I was so thorough? XD

[drcarbonell]

Catching his eyes, she broke into a small smile while arching a brow. "It's not every night I have company or get the luxury of seeing something other than my lab or my apartment." Dark eyes hinted at the amusement before she slid her hand lightly into the crook of his good arm before looking at the waiter.

"Two please." And if the man hesitated a moment, she simply arched a brow and followed him when they were led in. "How is your shoulder?"

/refrains from commenting

[pushmefirst]

"It'll set," he quipped softly, his hand briefly placed over hers as they walked, "you look beautiful, by the way. But that's the line you have to say, so... let me add, I prefer you in your lab coat most. It's like you're more comfortable that way..."

Presumptious, maybe. But he didn't beat around the bush.

[drcarbonell]

"Hopefully. I'd better look at it again before I let you get away again." She pointed that out matter of factly even as she relaxed at that touch.

Then she paused mentally at the compliment. She'd not even realized how uncomfortable she was in public. Pressing her lips together, she finally looked up at him with a hint of a smile. "Out here I'm just another girl that people probably believes to lean heavily on her looks for leverage in life. I suppose that feeling is a bit... unsettling."

Gently releasing him when they got to the table, she nodded once to the waiter that pulled her chair out and sat stiffly at first before she relaxed again. "You're an interesting man, Nick Grant." And not for the obvious scientific reasons.

[pushmefirst]

He didn't reply, just a little amused at the way she phrased that. He wasn't about to go anywhere, he sort of had a job to finish for her here.

"That's so like you," he chuckled, at her frank description. There was only straight answers with her, even when it was opinion. He couldn't help but like it. Refreshing change from those who complimented, hid behind it.

"Maybe a little too honest is a better way to describe me," he replied dismissively. He was no one special, and not interesting either. Unless you counted the ability, and even that fell more into the category of 'freaky' than 'cool'.

[drcarbonell]

"Already drawing so many conclusions on my personality?" It made her smile really. At least from what she could tell, he was drawing once she agreed with. Therefore, she trusted him not to take her too terribly wrong.

"There is nothing wrong with brutal honesty. I prefer to know where I stand than to play a guessing game. Though, I know how that would be offensive to some." She was no better with the honesty when given the chance to speak her mind. Most didn't let her. She came from a time that preferred for her to stand in the background and smile.

"May I inquire more about you? For personal curiosity and not for any other reason." And she meant him. Not his ability. Not any probing thoughts of how... just about him.

[pushmefirst]

"Sorry, was it obvious?" he grinned. Her question did make him lift that perpetual guard he kept, but he tried to make himself seem open, easy as he nodded, "reallt depends on what you want to know, Doc."

To him, it was always about his ability rather than him. At least lately. It was a combination of his own self acknowleging it after so long and, well.. that she was who she was. He was suspicious and careful by nature... nothing against her.

[drcarbonell]

"It's fine. As a scientist I'll be the first to admit my faults in gathering information to form conclusions." There was nothing wrong with that. And sadly her life so far stayed clinical in that way. And as long as she kept her colleagues at such a distance, she'd made it far.

But when he asked for clarification, she also knew why. Humming thoughtfully, she glanced over the menu thinking about it. "My favorite color is red." She paused and then ducked her head laughing softly. "Sister Mary left my knuckles bruised for a week after I set the library carpet on fire while doing an experiment at age ten. Really, if I'd read enough, I'd realize that flammables and corrosives were not a good mix."

Lifting dark eyes to his, her gaze was curious. "What's your favorite color... and perhaps a hobby? What do you find fun to do?"

[pushmefirst]

Nick's eyes softened a little despite his confusion, not expecting the random flow of information he recieved. But he visibly relaxed at it, regardless.

Leaning in just slightly, weight resting to his elbows as they waited on the starters - they were set before you ordered here - he smiled again, "Green... and, really, I don't make time for a hobby just in case I have to give it up. Negative thinking, maybe, but.. realistic. I move around a lot."

[drcarbonell]

That made her smile sadder somehow. Even growing up during the depression seemed... Sighing softly, she slid her fingertips over the tabletop quietly. "Green suits you. Like a... deep river of emerald hue that you're never sure what's under the surface or how deep."

Dropping off, she considered things a moment then glanced up again. "Do you know why they give me so much... leash? Yes, that is probably the correct term..." If he had to be under a microscope, then maybe she could be as well. "There was a man I worked for during World War II..." Holding her hand up to stave questions, she considered it a moment. "Brilliant man. Decided he wanted to take Einstein to task on the theory of relativity and quantum theory. Whatever he'd been working on... went wrong. And here I am."

Never to be duplicated or fixed. This was where she was stuck now. "And I hardly think you will take me on my word for that..."

[pushmefirst]

"Mmhm? It used to be black.. but there's only so much depressing stuff you can take..." He kids. It's always been green. Reminded him of forests, growing up.. his Dad. He didn't really.. know why, but it was comforting, he guessed in its rarity within his life.

He paused slightly at her words, raising a brow.. and sure enough he had questions. But he wasn't going to voice them before they made sense in his head first and he was sure it couldn't be blown back to him --

"So, in other words, you're out of some timeloop?"

[drcarbonell]

"I would say so. The black nail polish and clothing is a bit much. Really, kids these days don't know what depression is." It was mostly teasing. But she had to admit, the 'emo' subculture had thrown her for a loop the first time she'd seen it

[pushmefirst]

"You make it sound a little more glamourous than me, at least." His voice was serious, though, despite the smile. He imagined it was tough for her. Living so long, seeing so much.. a different type of loneliness to the one he had built up. Because she seemed lonely, to him. Somehow.

He reached across and gently squeezed her hand, silent. Not offering anything that would seem like he knew. He could sympathise, but he didn't know. Only she did.

Withdrawing as their food arrived; he always ordered the biggest meat dish of the day. The atmosphere was a little more serious, but all it did was slow his appetite rather than diminish it. He was accustomed to his meals being of varying pleasure, so he appreciated it all as best he could.

[drcarbonell]

"I thought the point of outcrying for attention was to be slightly glamorous?" Taking the escape for what it was, she smiled a little. And if her eyes slowly fell to the hand on hers it was more because she'd not been comforted in a long time. After a moment she reached out with her other hand and slid it over his squeezing it softly in gratitude

[pushmefirst]

"Thanks for offering," he smiled, tilting his head just slightly as he took in her poise. The way she spoke. And, yeah - maybe he should be re-considering her little offer to pay here, but he couldn't bring himself to argue. Doctor's orders and all that.. and he was here to learn. As much under Maria's charge as she claimed she was at his service.

"Whoa.. quite the museum piece," he remarked dryly, smiling at the wry casualness she kept it and offered him a look-see. Brave woman.

[drcarbonell]

"It was my pleasure." And only then did she look at the food already on the table. She looked at the items curiously and picked up an item to try it. The entire motion was almost cautious as most the more exotic foods didn't start hitting America till after she disappeared. But she was always willing to try new things.

"This is... pretty amazing." And there a almost a childlike happiness at the discovery in her eyes. But it slid further to amusement at the remark on her old driver's license. "Mm... just proves I'm ageless. I can't let my real age fall into the wrong hands." Teasing lightly, she reached out to lightly pull it away. "Consider yourself one of the chosen few."